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Acting
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Directing
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Story
Starring: Cameron Diaz, Christina Applegate, Selma Blair
Director: Roger Kumble
Running Time: 91 mins
The Sweetest Thing is an American film about a woman who, after finding a love connection at a club, sets off with her friend to find the man she met.
The Sweetest Thing isn’t the most intelligent film ever made. It’s not the most original film ever made. And nor is it even the most hilarious film ever made. But you know what? It’s a hell of a lot of fun, and fantastically moronic from start to finish.
In a similar vein to the likes of Old School or Superbad which came after it, The Sweetest Thing is unashamedly ridiculous and raunchy throughout. Complete with zany and lively leading performances from Cameron Diaz and Christina Applegate, this is very much frat comedy at its best.
And what’s even better is that it’s one of the earlier (and better) examples of female-led frat comedy, with a no-holds-barred screenplay and two leading actresses who really do give their all in the silliest way.
The first act of the film is a little mellower, and although we see a confident trio of female leads sparring with men in the clubs, it doesn’t quite deliver the same level of ridiculous hilarity as when we see Diaz and Applegate go on the road in pursuit of a mystery man.
That’s when things really kick into gear with The Sweetest Thing, as we see both Diaz and Applegate commit to some fantastically funny moments of physical comedy, all the while starring in two genuinely likable roles as never-say-die friends.
That brings a nice, heartfelt element to a film that otherwise appears like a load of braindead nonsense on the surface, which put a real smile on my face come the end of the movie.
As I said at the beginning, The Sweetest Thing isn’t the world’s most intelligent, original or funny film, but it’s a heap of fun to watch throughout, thanks to a fun-loving, delightfully moronic story, great performances and even a moment or two of really heartfelt storytelling. So, that’s why I’m giving it a 7.5 overall.
